Picasso Museum Tours

Home to more than 4,000 works by the incomparable Pablo Picasso, the Picasso Museum (Museu Picasso) is Barcelona's most visited art collection. It's housed inside five Gothic mansions, meaning the museum's architecture is an attraction all on its own — but it's the artwork and Picasso's connection to the city that truly make this museum a must-see. Among the many famous paintings, you'll find some of his self portraits and his study of 'Las Meninas' by Diego Velazquez.

The Basics
Many of the museum's permanent pieces correspond with the time Picasso spent living in Barcelona, which culminated in his Blue Period. Visitors who want more insight into the art can pay a small fee for audio guides, or join a very limited selection of small-group guided tours that are included in admission (reservations required). If you want to explore with a tour guide on your own schedule, book a separate museum tour that includes admission. Your options include a private tour, skip-the-line tickets, and a combo tour that combines a guided tour of the museum with a Gothic Quarter walking tour that stops at sites important to Picasso's Barcelona, such as the famous Els Quatre Gats café.

• If you want a visual memory of your trip, you'll have to buy something at the gift shop, as photography is not allowed inside the museum.
• The museum is wheelchair accessible and offers free wheelchair service. Monthly guided tours are available for visitors with visual or auditory disabilities; they must be reserved in advance.
• A few temporary museum exhibits can be seen for an additional fee.

How to Get to the Picasso Museum
The Picasso Museum is centrally located and accessible by bus, metro, and Barcelona's public bike system. There is no parking lot at the museum.

When to Get There
The museum is open year round, but be aware it's closed on Mondays and has extended hours on Thursdays. If you're willing to brave the crowds, it's free every Sunday after 3pm and all day every first Sunday of the month.

How Does It Compare to Europe's Other Picasso Museums?
Picasso has close ties to both Spain and France, and each country has two museums to honor him (the others are in Malaga, Paris, and Antibes). Münster, Germany, also features a museum in his honor. However, Barcelona's Museu Picasso was the first, and it was the only museum opened at the request of the artist.